AWS Amplify vs SST: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between AWS Amplify and SST comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: SST is our overall pick for DevOps workflows. Pick AWS Amplify if you need low-code backend.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
AWS Amplify
Build and deploy full-stack web & mobile apps on AWS
Best for you if:
- • You need low-code backend features specifically
- • AWS Amplify is a development platform for building full-stack web and mobile applications on AWS
- • It provides authentication, storage, APIs, and hosting with minimal configuration required
SST
Open-source framework for deploying full-stack apps on AWS
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need DevOps features specifically
- • SST is an open-source framework for building serverless apps on AWS
- • It provides live Lambda development with infrastructure as code
| At a Glance |  AWS Amplify |  SST |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Low-Code Backend | DevOps |
Rating | 4.4/5 | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose AWS Amplify or SST?
Choose AWS Amplify if
Build and deploy full-stack web & mobile apps on AWS
- AWS integration
- Full-stack support
- Good hosting
- Your work is low-code backend-shaped, not DevOps-shaped
Choose SST if
Open-source framework for deploying full-stack apps on AWS
- Modern serverless framework
- Live Lambda development
- Good TypeScript support
- You want a fully free tool (AWS Amplify requires payment)
- Your work is DevOps-shaped, not low-code backend-shaped
| Feature | AWS Amplify | SST |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 100 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Low-Code BackendHosting & Deployment | DevOpsCloud & Infrastructure |
In-Depth Analysis
AWS Amplify
Build and deploy full-stack web & mobile apps on AWS
Strengths
- +AWS integration
- +Full-stack support
- +Good hosting
Weaknesses
- -AWS complexity
- -Vendor lock-in
Key features
SST
Open-source framework for deploying full-stack apps on AWS
Strengths
- +Modern serverless framework
- +Live Lambda development
- +Good TypeScript support
- +CDK based
- +Free and open source
Weaknesses
- -AWS only
- -Newer platform
- -Learning curve
- -Smaller community
- -Breaking changes
Key features
Pricing: AWS Amplify vs SST
| Plan | AWS Amplify | SST |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free Tier | $0 forever Open Source |
| Tier 2 | $0.023 /GB storage Hosting | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $0.01 /minute Build | N/A |
| Tier 4 | $0.3 /1M requests SSR | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on AWS Amplify pricing and SST pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
SST is free. AWS Amplify is freemium.
Go with: SST
Want the highest-rated option?
AWS Amplify is rated 4.4/5. SST has no ratings yet.
Go with: AWS Amplify
Value user reviews?
AWS Amplify: 100 reviews (4.4/5). SST: no ratings yet.
Go with: AWS Amplify
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
AWS Amplify is freemium. SST is free. Go with SST if free matters most.
What's your use case?
AWS Amplify is a low-code backend tool. SST is in DevOps. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
AWS Amplify is rated 4.4/5; SST has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
SST
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
AWS Amplify
- Better fit for low-code backend
The Bottom Line
SST is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AWS Amplify or SST better?
SST is rated in our evaluation. AWS Amplify is freemium and SST is free.
What are AWS Amplify and SST used for?
AWS Amplify: Build and deploy full-stack web & mobile apps on AWS. SST: Open-source framework for deploying full-stack apps on AWS.
What does AWS Amplify cost vs SST?
AWS Amplify is freemium (free tier + paid plans). SST is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.